Rivers crisis: Northern govs report Jonathan to ex-leaders

President Goodluck Jonathan

Four northern governors met on Monday with former Heads of State, Generals Abdulsalami  Abubakar and Ibrahim Babangida,  and  appealed  to them to ask President Goodluck Jonathan to restore public order to Rivers State.

 The governors are:   Babangida Aliyu (Niger);   Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto );   Sule Lamido (Jigawa); and   Rabiu Kwankanso (Kano).

Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako, who was supposed to be at the meeting, sent apologies. Nyako was one of the four governors – Wamakko, Lamido and Kwankwaso – who had  a closed door  meeting with another former Head of State and President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, in Abeokuta last Saturday.

Sources at the Monday meeting in Minna, said the governors did not mince words in their condemnation of the recent activities of Jonathan, which they said were capable of derailing the nation’s democracy.

The sources said that the governors specifically cited the crisis in Rivers State.

One of the governors, who spoke with one of our correspondents said, “We know that the nation’s democracy is in danger with what the President is doing.

“We cannot have a democracy where the President would be mocking governors and would be attempting to impeach them without following due process.

“We told them (Abubakar and Babangida) that what is happening in Rivers State, as explained by Mrs. Patience Jonathan, was orchestrated by the Presidency.

“We have appealed to the two leaders to reach out to other stakeholders and save this democracy.”

Another source also explained that what took the governors to see Obasanjo was what made them to meet the two Northern Nigerian former leaders in Minna.

 He said, “They, like most Nigerians and lovers of this country, are worried about the situation we have found ourselves. The four governors were in Minna to consult on the way forward for the country.

“The upcoming national convention of the Peoples Democratic Party and the 2015 general elections were parts of the discussions held behind closed doors.

“What will follow in the next few months will be a flury of activities which will paint a clearer picture of what is the way forward.”

However,  Aliyu, who is also the Chairman of Northern States Governors’ Forum , said after the 80-minute  meeting that what they discussed with Abubakar and Babangida, would enhance “our political dreams.”

He said,  “The meeting is a platform that could be used to actualise our political dreams.Now,  we are consulting with our elders and leaders to look at some of the problems and solutions to the problems that some of us   are facing, simple.

“The solution to Nigeria Governors’ Forum crisis, political issues which have come up and we are consulting to make sure that we all understand the issues and we all come out with a solution;  and we will also carry our people along  as we move on.”

Asked what their  resolution was, Aliyu,  replied,  “We are still consulting.’’

  On the lingering  Rivers State crisis, he stated that what they discussed with Abubakar and Babangida was larger than the “Rivers issue.”

 The governor said,  “There is no gathering in Nigeria now that Rivers’ issue will not come up, but our meeting today(Monday)  is a larger issue than even the NGF  crisis. We are discussing on how to solve them.”

Nyako, through his Director of Press and Publications, Sajoh Ahmed,  gave an  insight into their Abeokuta visit. He told an online news portal, Premiumtimes, that it was   part of efforts   to save   the   Peoples Democratic Party from collapsing.

   “We will continue to make our efforts to save the party. But, if our efforts do not work, we have no alternative but to fold our arms and see PDP die and help in burying it,” he said.

The governor  emphasised that unless “these serious minded Nigerians”   intervened in time, the PDP  would  die a natural death.

  Nyako described the current   events in the  party  as worrisome, stating that they constituted a  threat to the survival of democracy in the country.

It was gathered that the  governors  would  also meet  soon with a former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus   Danjuma .

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Labour Congress has called on  Jonathan   to display  “uncommon statesmanship”in  resolving  the   Rivers  crisis.

  President of the NLC, Mr. Abdulwahed Omar,  said   workers were worried by the growing rate of impunity in the country.

 He stated  that the attempt by five lawmakers to impeach the Speaker of the state House of Assembly and the travails of Governor Rotimi Amaechi constituted a threat to democracy.

The labour leader made this comment at the 11th NLC Rain School at Uyo,  Akwa Ibom State,   on Monday.

 He said, “Of importance to the working class has been the rate and extent of impunity in the country.  The show of shame in Rivers State, where only five legislators   attempted to impeach the speaker and the protracted travails of   Governor  Amaechi are capable of derailing democracy in our country.

 “We reiterate our call on Mr. President to demonstrate uncommon statesmanship by ensuring that the political crisis in Rivers State is checked and resolved in the interest of the people of the state and the nation.”

 Omar, who also commented on the issue of the decentralisation of the National Minimum Wage Law by the Senate, said that all the state councils of the NLC and industrial unions  were being mobilised to protest   the Senate decision.

 He said that the National Minimum Wage Act did not contradict the concept of federalism contrary to the claim of “the now fractious NGF.”

Patience Jonathan’s mother dies in crash

Mrs. Patience Jonathan

THERE was anxiety in Port Harcourt on Monday as news of the death of Mrs. Iwari-Oba, the mother of the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience,  spread in the Rivers State capital.

The mother of Mrs. Jonathan was said to have been involved in a ghastly motor accident along Elele Road in Rivers State.

It was gathered that the woman, who is from Okrika Local Government Area, was on her way to Bayelsa State when the accident happened.

Unconfirmed report indicated that her corpse was taken to Kpaiyama Mortuary by a team of policemen and a member representing Ogu Bolo State Constituency, Mr. Evans Bipi, who is a relative to the deceased.

Though, the police and the Federal Road Safety Commission in the state could not confirm the incident, an aide to Bipi said the First Lady’s mother died in a road accident, which occurred at about 4pm.

Bipi’s aide, Mr. Fred Itobo, told The PUNCH that the President’s wife’s mother was involved in the accident while she was on her way to Bayelsa State.

“Yes! She was involved in an accident and she died. Her body has been taken to a mortuary. Bipi was among those who took her body to the mortuary,” Itobo said.

When contacted, the State Director of FRSC, Dr. Kayode Olagunju, declined comment on the matter, saying, “I cannot say anything on this matter now until I get full details.”

Though effort to get reactions from the State Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Angela Agabe, proved futile, she had already told a journalist on the telephone that she had not been briefed on such crash.

Court summons Jonathan to testify against Leadership journalists

President Goodluck Jonathan

An Abuja High Court has summoned President Goodluck Jonathan to appear before it to give evidence in a forgery case brought by the Federal Government against The Leadership Group Limited, publishers ofLeadership Newspapers.

Leadership Group Limited and two of its journalists – Tony Amokeodo and Chibuzo Ukaibe – are facing 11 counts of forgery and conspiracy following the publication of the bromide of a presidential directive by the newspaper on April 3, 2013.

Jonathan’s summons came via a subpoena signed by the presiding judge, Justice Usman Musale.

The subpoena dated July 15, 2013 was addressed to the President through the Federal Ministry of Justice Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja.

At the continuation of the case on Tuesday, counsel for the journalists, Femi Falana (SAN), said the Federal Ministry of Justice conveyed the summons to the President.

Falana drew the court’s attention to the development after Federal Government lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), stated his readiness to proceed with the trial.

Falana noted that he filed an application asking the court to suspend the proceedings indefinitely, until the end of Jonathan tenure to enable him to testify in the matter as ordered by the court in the summons.

The President, by virtue of the immunity clause in the constitution, will not be able to testify in court until he leaves office.

Falana argued that there would be no guarantee of the accused persons’ fundamental rights to fair hearing if the President could not testify in court.

He said, “By virtue of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, this court lacks the vires to issue and cause to be served a subpoena ad testificandum on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to testify as a witness for the accused persons in this case.

“The accused persons are inhibited from obtaining the attendance of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, to testify as a witness for the accused persons in this case.”

He, therefore, sought the suspension of the proceedings until a time when Jonathan would be able to testify in court, especially when he leaves office.

But Awomolo opposed the application, arguing that it was not yet ripe for hearing.

He said the accused persons should wait for the prosecution to try its case and when it was time for them to open their defence, they could bring up the issue of Jonathan’s appearance before the court.

Police arrest pastor over N3m scam

Manko

A man, who claimed to be a pastor, Rev. Praise Bassey, has been arrested by the State Criminal Investigation Department,  Yaba, for allegedly duping a contractor (name withheld) of N3m.

Bassey, who runs his church, Household of Destiny, from his three-bedroom apartment at Gani Dabiri Street, Ajao Estate, was said to have collected the money in 2010 under the guise of buying the contractor a 1X35 Hyundai car.

At the time, Bassey who resides in Lagos with his family was said to have visited Calabar in company with a family friend.

A police source told PUNCH Metro on the condition of anonymity that matters came to a head when Bassey, on collecting the money, could neither provide the car nor refund the money for two years.

He said, “The contractor got to know Bassey in 2010 when he visited her home in the company with a family friend.

“I learnt that Bassey informed the contractor that he lived in Korea and was into the car import business.”

Several months later, the contractor allegedly called to ask Bassey the price of a 1X35 Huyundai jeep.

“Bassey told the contractor that the cost of the car was N3m. She was to pay the amount into his Zenith bank account. After the money was paid, Bassey became evasive,” the source said.

The petition, which was referred to the SCID through the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, led to Bassey’s arrest.

PUNCH Metro gathered that Bassey was able to secure bail the same day he was arrested in 2012.

He was said to have informed the police that the money was not given to him to buy a car, but to pray for the contractor’s success in her business. He was later given bail after he promised to refund the money.

The source said, “Part of his bail conditions was that Bassey would refund the money. At first, he paid N1.25m and promised to pay the remaining N1.75m. After securing his bail, Bassey absconded.”

He was rearrested by SCID operatives who were on his trail for many weeks.

The state command’s Police Commissioner Mr. Umar Manko, said, “I am aware of that case. When it came to me, I referred all the parties to the SCID. Obviously, Bassey was not the person the contractor thought he was. However, he has been arrested and will be prosecuted.”

JTF detains Shekau’s in-laws

Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau

Operatives of the Joint Task Force have  made a breakthrough  in the campaign against terrorism by arresting in-laws of the  Boko Haram leader, Sheik Abubakar Shekau.

 The Defence Spokesman, Brig. Gen Chris Olukolade, made this known during  a  press briefing by  the Joint Security Services Public Information Committee in Abuja on Monday.

Olukolade however did not give the names of Shekau’s in-laws, whom he said were arrested during a  cordon and search operation in Bulabulin area  of  Maiduguri last week.

Apart from  more corpses  found   in a soak-away  in the area, underground tunnels and bunkers as well as high calibre weapons were discovered by the operatives.

He said,  “Troops on cordon and search operations in Bulabulin area in Maiduguri last week discovered a vast network of underground tunnels connecting houses and many bunkers some which have the capacity to accommodate over 100 persons.

“More corpses were also discovered in a soak-away.  Various weapons were  found  in the same area.   Abubakar Shekau’s in-laws were picked up in the raid in  which various audio recordings of  terrorists messages were also discovered.

 “Recovery is made almost on a daily basis as the operation progresses. The recovery, among others,  includes  eight AK47 assault rifles, one  G-3 rifle, nine  AK-47 magazines, one  Rocket Propelled Grenade charger, and five  Rocket Propelled Grenade.

 “Three  FMC magazine, one  G3 magazine, 14 IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices)  and 166 rounds of 7.62mm Special  had also been recovered.  Others are, three 35mm Bazooka; 34 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, 1,740 rounds of 303 inch, 10 rounds of 7.62 NATO, one  round of .50mm, one  dane gun, one  locally-made pistol and two  megaphones.”

 He stated also that  one of the top commanders of   Boko Haram believed to be   the Amir of Bulabulin Nganaram, was killed in one of the raids  in  Bulabulin, Nganaram, Aljajeri and Faluja areas of Maiduguri.

 Olukolade added  that the   reduction in the spate of bombings in places outside the North- East  indicated clearly that security operatives were winning the war against terrorism in spite of the  attacks by the sect on  soft targets.

 He explained that the improved security situation was responsible for the decision to ensure a phased restoration of telecommunications services in states under emergency rule starting with Adamawa.

Olukolade pointed out that  the cordon and search operations were  largely successful due to  the cooperation of indigenes of the area and special  dogs used to aid the  efforts.

 He said, “A number of terrorists have been apprehended by the Special Forces.  Many of them have also died in battle with the forces.  Various resources,  including trained military police dogs facilitated the arrest of insurgents who tried to infiltrate the cities after being dislodged from their bases at the outset of the operations.

 “Cordon and Search Operations have started enjoying tremendous cooperation of locals.  Several terrorists, including their foreign members are being tracked down.  Key terrorists, especially those in the cadre of Amiras well as those helping in their renewed mobilisation and recruitment of minors are being hunted.”

On the controversy  over  Al-Mustapha’s fate in the Army, the Defence Headquarters argued that since the former Chief Security Officer to the late maximum dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha,   was neither dismissed nor sacked   during  the years of his trial, he remained a  serving officer of the Army.

“With regard to Maj Hamza  Al-Mustapha’s release, I want to confirm that he is still in the army and the case is going to be handled by the Army administratively  in line with the Harmonised Terms and conditions of service, ” the Chief of Staff to the Director of Army Public Relations, Col. John Agim, said during  the briefing.

Al-Mustapha’ spent over a decade  in detention for allegedly being the  mastermind  of the  killing of the wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the  late Chief Moshood Abiola .

Patience Jonathan blames elders for fuelling Rivers crisis

Mrs. Patience Jonathan

Wife of the President, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, on Monday faulted the contributions of some unnamed persons she referred to as “otherwise respected elders” who, by their views, had been contributing to the crisis in Rivers State.

While describing their utterances as unfortunate, she called on all feuding parties in the state to sheathe their swords in the interest of innocent women and children, who, she said, would naturally be victims of the mayhem.

The president’s wife’s position was contained in a statement by  her spokesman, Mr. Ayo Osinlu.

The statement read, “We therefore call on elders of the state to position themselves appropriately in the circumstances, and continue to seek the highest good of Rivers State and its people, by stone-walling the activities of the few, who would rather fan little embers into a consuming inferno.

“Recent experience whereby certain otherwise respected elders of the country, both from within and outside Rivers State, were canvassing views that seemed to intensify the heat in Rivers State, is certainly unfortunate.”

Mrs. Jonathan, who has been roundly criticised as one of the masterminds of the crisis alongside her husband, called on warring politicians in the state to spare a thought for the social, political and economic costs of the crisis, and consider an urgent way to resolve all political differences.

She warned all stakeholders to ensure that the situation in the state did not degenerate to a level that could be hijacked by miscreants and hoodlums, thus exposing everyone to insecurity from which there might be no easy escape. Chukwudi Akasike, Port Harocurt

Meanwhile, the senator, representing Rivers South-East in the National Assembly, Senator Magnus Abe, has declared that no amount of opposition can remove the Rivers State Governor, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi.

Abe, who bared his mind on the political crisis rocking the state, on Monday, explained that any move to impeach Amaechi would not succeed because the governor was “ordained by God.”

Speaking during the presentation of scholarship to 77 university undergraduates from Rivers South-East in Khana Local Government Area, Abe appealed to the people of the state not to be distracted by the political situation in the state.

He said, “We are living at a time when politicians of all shades are going around collecting young people, collecting people’s children; daughters and sons to help them pursue their personal ambitions or their public aspirations.”

Also, 17 suspended councillors of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area have faulted the resolution of the House of Representatives to take over the affairs of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Members of the House of Assembly had engaged one another in a free-for-all, following an attempt by five lawmakers to impeach the Speaker of the 32-member House, Mr. Otelemaba Amachree.

The councillors, who were suspended alongside the chairman of the council, Mr. Timothy Nsirim, and his vice, Mr. Solomon Eke, for an alleged financial recklessness and abuse of office, described the resolution of the federal lawmakers as hasty and selective.

Speaking with newsmen in Orazu, Obio/Akpor on Monday, Chief Whip of the Obio/Akpor Legislative Assembly, Mr. Aruchi Amechi, argued that the councillor should have been protected when they were suspended by the House of Assembly.

Amechi said, “We express reservation over the selective manner the House of Representatives decided to intervene in the State House of Assembly matter. While our legislative council was first hit, our senior colleagues did not deem it fit to come to our aid.”

Electricity tariff will increase despite poor supply –NERC

Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi

Despite the erratic power supply in the country and frequent system collapses, electricity tariff will continue to rise, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has said.

NERC, while defending the Federal Government’s position on the recent increase in fixed electricity charges, said the Multi Year Tariff Order had an approved tariff stipulated for 2012 to 2016.

The MYTO, which was prepared by NERC and obtained by our correspondents, showed that there would be increases in electricity tariff every year till 2016.

The tariff schedule showed that consumers would have to pay higher on two fronts. Every year, the fixed cost will go up. Similarly, the energy cost or cost per kilowatt hour of electricity will also go up.

NERC had consistently said that increase in electricity tariff would be for the short run and that the amount payable by consumers would begin to fall when the country had produced enough electricity.

The annual tariff increase, our correspondents gathered, would be automatic not minding whether there was appreciable improvement in power supply or not.

The Chairman, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi, while briefing journalists on Monday following public outcry against the recent increase in the fixed charge from N500 to N700 or N800, depending on the location, said, “The truth is that the tariff must increase despite shortfalls in service delivery.”

He argued that the inability of power distribution companies to live up to expectation was not a tenable reason to slash tariff, adding that it was in the interest of Nigerians not to reduce the charges.

Amadi  said most of the shortcomings in the sector were structural and insisted that the commission would not reverse itself on the approved tariff regardless of the underperformances of power distribution companies.

He said, “We regret that the distribution companies have not been very committed to meeting their obligations in the MYTO. NERC recognises that the quality of service has not seen significant improvement, especially in the area of metering and accurate billing of customers.

“Our expectation for significant and sustained improvement in electricity supply and quality service lies in the expected takeover by the privatisation preferred bidders, who have better incentives and commitment, and have made enforceable promises to invest continuously in providing better services to consumers.

“These investments and commensurate improvements will not all be made in one day but over the coming months, years and decades following the entry of new investors and managers of our distribution companies.”

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Sunday condemned the new tariff designed by NERC, with its President, Mr. Abdulwaheed Omar, saying the body rejected the latest figures because of the epileptic electricity supply and the low purchasing power of the working people.

But reacting to the NLC position, Amadi argued that two minor reviews conducted by the commission did not result in increase in tariff.

This, he said, was because the fundamentals of the MYTO and the financial model published on NERC’s website had not significantly changed.

“We must state that the commencement and results of both minor reviews were announced via various national print and electronic media, including some that carried various provocative statements that bear absolutely no connection with the truth,” Amadi said.

On what the penalty was for distribution companies that failed to provide stable electricity despite collecting high fixed charges, the NERC boss stated that the commission had responded with regulations to enforce correct billing of unmetered customers.

He said NERC had also introduced the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation policy to help protect electricity consumers.

“We will continue to enforce these regulations and interventions to improve quality supply before the preferred bidders take over the networks,” Amadi said.

Egypt Orders Arrest Of Muslim Brotherhood Leader

Egypt's prosecutor ordered the arrest on Wednesday of the leaders of ousted President Mohamed Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood, charging them with inciting violence that saw 55 of their members shot dead.

A week after the army toppled Egypt's first democratically elected leader, the bloodshed on Monday has opened fissures in the Arab world's most populous country, with levels of bitterness unseen in its modern history.

Brotherhood spokesman Gehad El-Haddad said the announcement of charges against leader Mohamed Badie and several other senior figures was a bid by authorities to break up a vigil by thousands of Morsi supporters demanding his reinstatement.

The leaders were charged with inciting the violence which began before dawn, when the Brotherhood says its followers were fired on while peacefully praying. The army says terrorists provoked the shooting by attacking its troops.

The past week's violence alarmed Western donors and Israel, which has a 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. Washington, treading a careful line, has neither welcomed Morsi's removal nor denounced it as a "coup", which under U.S. law would require it to halt aid including the $1.3 billion it gives the army each year.

The Brotherhood's downfall has been welcomed by wealthy Gulf states Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which offered Egypt $8 billion in aid on Tuesday.

The charges against the Brotherhood leaders were "nothing more than an attempt by the police state to dismantle the Rabaa protest", Haddad said by telephone from the vigil at Rabaa Adaweya mosque in northeast Cairo. He said some of the leaders whose arrest was being sought were at the site of the protest.

"What can we do? In a police state when the police force are criminals, the judiciary are traitors, and the investigators are the fabricators, what can one do?"

RAMADAN OVERSHADOWED

In addition to Badie, prosecutors ordered the arrest of others including his deputy, Mahmoud Ezzat, and outspoken party leaders Essam El-Erian and Mohamed El-Beltagi.

The new interim prime minister on Wednesday reached for liberals to revive a shattered economy as he began forming a government to try to heal the bitterly divided nation. Egyptians had hoped the start of the Ramadan Muslim fasting month would cool passions but it has been overshadowed by rancour.

Hazem el-Beblawi, a 76-year-old economist and former finance minister named to head the cabinet on Tuesday, told Reuters he would start selecting ministers and would begin by meeting liberal politicians Mohamed ElBaradei and Ziad Bahaa el-Din.

Both are prominent figures in the National Salvation Front, the main secularist group that led protests against Morsi.

Both also support a stalled $4.8 billion loan deal with the International Monetary Fund, which would require Egypt to make politically painful reforms to subsidies for food and fuel that support its 84 million people but drain its finances.

Beblawi accepted that it would be a challenge to find a cabinet line-up with universal support. "I don't believe that anything can have unanimous approval," he told Reuters.

"Of course we respect the public opinion and we try to comply with the expectation of the people but there is always a time of choice. There is more than one alternative, you cannot satisfy all of the people."

BROTHERHOOD CONDEMNS "FASCIST COUP"

The Brotherhood has said it will have nothing whatsoever to do with a government of what it calls a "fascist coup".

Beblawi was named prime minister by the military-backed interim head of state installed after the army removed Morsi. ElBaradei, a former U.N. diplomat, has been named vice president. Bahaa el-Din, a former head of Egypt's investment authority, has been touted for senior posts.

The promised cash, loans and fuel from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates will go a long way to easing a deep economic crisis that has worsened during two and a half years of instability since autocrat Hosni Mubarak was swept from power by a popular revolt.

But the Gulf money could also reduce the incentive for Egypt to make the subsidy reforms the IMF says are needed to stabilise public finances, draw investment and rekindle economic growth.

Despite the violence that followed Morsi's removal, the interim authorities are proceeding with the army's "road map" to restore civilian rule. On Tuesday they announced a temporary constitution, plans to amend it, and a timetable for elections beginning in about six months.

Those moves already demonstrated the difficulty achieving political consensus, even among Morsi's opponents. The secularist NSF initially rejected the interim constitution, as did Islamists and others, although on Wednesday the NSF withdrew its rejection and issued a new, milder criticism.

Beblawi has indicated he would be open to offering cabinet posts to Islamists, including Brotherhood figures, although it seems impossible to imagine the Brotherhood accepting.

NOUR PARTY ASCENT

The authorities are courting the approval of Egypt's second largest Islamist group, the ultra-orthodox Nour Party, to demonstrate that Islamists will not be repressed as they were for decades under military-led rule.

Nour officially withdrew from politics in response to Monday's violence but has said it does not object to Beblawi's appointment and will assist his government.

Nour spokesman Nader Bakkar said on Wednesday the group would not accept posts in the new cabinet but would offer "consent and advice to help the cabinet pass through the transition period as soon as possible and with minimum damages".

"We are waiting to help. We are ready to advise but for the time being we still take the decision not to participate in the political process until the judiciary committee gives its report about what happened (on Monday)."

Bloodshed has abated since Monday's incident, the deadliest since Mubarak's fall, apart from a 2012 soccer stadium riot.

However, there are fears that the political violence could lead to a breakdown in security, especially in the lawless Sinai peninsula region bordering Israel.

Two people were killed and six wounded overnight when Islamist militants attacked a Sinai checkpoint.

On Tuesday Israeli troops found the remains of a rocket they believe was fired across the border from Egypt.

Police Arrest Physically-Challenged Persons For Highway-Block

The Delta State Police Command have arrested physically challenged persons for causing traffic gridlock in Asaba, the state capital on Monday. Until their arrest, the protesting persons with disabilities had vowed not to leave the highway.

Most of the stranded road users had to pass the night in Asaba while some others managed to continue their journey after the road was cleared by midnight. Some of the motorists diverted through Ibusa and Okpanam exit routes.

State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Lucky Uyabeme told reporters that “the highway was eventually cleared.

“They have their grievances for coming to the road. They said they want to see the governor so that they would explain their plight to him. The road has been cleared and I can say they have achieved their aim because the governor said he would see them today (Tuesday). Some of their executives have been selected and they are on their way to Warri to see the governor.

“What is clear is that they were not arrested but just moved away to clear the road. It is a federal highway and nobody has the power to block it but the police were so tactical in removing them from the road so that there would be free flow of traffic. They were not arrested, they are in protective custody.”

The Asaba/Benin highway was blocked at the Summit junction, Asaba, Monday, between 2 p.m and midnight, preventing movement of vehicles from both sides of the road.

• 
  

Muslim Brotherhood Gunmen Open Fire On Christian Church

Masked gunmen opened fire at Mar Mina Church in Port Said's al-Manakh early Tuesday and managed to get away, according to state-run news agency MENA. No casualties were reported.

Army and police squads arrived at the scene of the attack and efforts are being undertaken to identify the perpetrators.

This is the third such attack in 24 hours. Yesterday, unknown attackers assaulted Port Said's western seaport and the province's traffic police department.

A priest was killed Saturday in Masaeed in North Sinai.

The attacks come days after Egypt’s army toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsy, yielding to mass protests demanding early elections.

Morsy’s Islamist supporters have protested the army's decision.

Several Jiahdist leaders have been quoted in media reports as saying they vow to fight to defend Morsy’s legitimacy.

Why Gay People Live In Fear in Russia

Gay tourists could face jail following new anti-gay law in Russia!

Russia takes another step backwards after Vladimir Putin signs into law a new bill punishing people for anything deemed pro-gay.

In a total ‘screw you’ to progress, Vladimir Putin has signed an unspecific bill into law, punishing people for “homosexual propaganda” which could include holding hands in public, or a fondness of rainbows.

The law could see tourists being jailed for up to two weeks for anything that is deemed to be pro-gay. LGBT organisations have expressed concerns for members of the LGBT community who will be taking part as fans or athletes at the Winter Olympics in Sochi next February.

Russian-speaking RUSA LGBT, an association for members of the gay community have called for a boycott of the Sochi Olympics in light of the anti-gay laws, citing fears that the athletes and spectators will not be safe.

Other activists have demanded that cities like Paris, LA and Quebec remove their twinning with Russian cities in protest of the law. Lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall will continue working with the foreign office and activists to promote equality.

In an interview with Russian news agency RUSA LGBT co-president Nina Long stated, “LGBT people in Russia are scared, they live in fear, and we want people to be aware of the issue. If they feel strongly about human rights they should boycott the Olympics in Sochi.

We really want the LGBT community to know it’s unsafe to travel there.”

The Duma passed the bill in June with 436 votes to 0 (only one representative abstained) before being signed into legality by President Putin and moving Russia even further backwards in terms of equal rights.

The anti-gay law carries steep fines for promoting homosexuality and as well as being arrested, jailed for up to 15 days and deported you can also be fined over £2,000.

“It is now literally illegal in Russia to say that you are gay. It is illegal to kiss your partner in public – say, after you win a gold medal. It is illegal for a gay athlete to wear the rainbow flag. Or even to acknowledge during an interview that they are gay – or for the foreign press to acknowledge it – unless they mention that gay sexual orientation in a negative way.”

So, if you’re travelling to Russia leave the rainbow socks at home, try not to look too gay and definitely don’t make the mistake of holding hands with your partner if they have the same bits as you.

Federal House Of Reps Takes Over Functions Of Rivers State House Of Assembly

Following the violence that occurred at the Rivers State House of Assembly on Tuesday, the House of Representatives has taken over the functions of the Rivers Assembly.

The federal lawmakers took the decision on Wednesday following debates and approval of a motion and based on section 11, sub section 4 of the 1999 Constitution.

The section states that “At any time when any House of Assembly of a state is unable to perform its functions by reason of the situation prevailing in the state,

The National Assembly may make such Laws for the peace, order and good government of that state with respect to matters on which a House of Assembly may make laws as may appear to the National Assembly to be necessary or expedient until such time as the House of Assembly is able to resume its functions; and any such laws enacted by the National Assembly pursuant to this section shall have effect as if they were laws enacted by the House of Assembly of the state.”

Crisis had engulfed the Rivers House of Assembly on Tuesday when five members out of 32 attempted to impeach the Speaker, Otelemaba Amachree.

The confusion that followed led to violence among the state lawmakers with videos of the violence circulated on social media.

Wednesday’s sitting was chaired by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha

RIVERS VIOLENCE: Jonathan Must Be Impeached -ACN

The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has heaped the blame for the ongoing crisis in Rivers State on President Goodluck Jonathan and asked the National Assembly to immediately commence impeachment proceedings against him, for failing to live up to his oath of office to uphold the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said by Jonathan’s abhorrence of the rule of law and majority rule, the latest indication of which is his unmistakable support for a group of renegade lawmakers who are fomenting trouble in Rivers State, the President has become a clear and present danger to the country’s democracy, and must be shown the way out in accordance with the Constitution.

”Under President Jonathan’s watch and with his tacit support, a few lawmakers dictated to majority of the members
of the Ogun State House of Assembly, which was locked for a long time. Under President Jonathan’s watch, the Nigerian
Governors’ Forum was sabotaged by his minions who declared a Governor with 16 votes a winner over the one who scored 19 votes, in a injurious blow to the concept of democracy.

”And under his watch, five lawmakers – out of 32 – have become the majority and, simply because they have the backing of
the presidency, are now being given police protection to disrupt the proceedings of the House.

 

As we write, Rivers state has been taken over by current and former militants who have been unleashed to destabilize the state and cause a breakdown of law and order, to pave the way for the imposition of a State of Emergency.

 

”This cannot and must be allowed to continue, hence our call on the National Assembly to move quickly to remove the source
of the crisis. Since this is no longer an intra-party dispute and because of its potentials to set the country on fire, we also call on
civil society groups, professional bodies and ordinary Nigerians to rise up and defend the rule of law and the supremacy of the
Constitution over arbitrariness,” ACN said.

 

The party decried the anarchy that is now reigning in Rivers, simply because the five renegade lawmakers have the backing of the presidency, which has emboldened them to take extra-Constitutional measures to try to remove the majority-backed Speaker
of the State House of Assembly.

 

”Taking a cue from the presidency, the State Commissioner of Police has turned himself into a politician and abandoned his
constitutional role. Instead of providing security for the entire House to sit, he chose to back the renegades and their thugs to
unleash mayhem on their colleagues.

 

This is what you get when a leader dons the garb of a partisan instead of being a statesman. All sorts of minions simply follow suit,” it said.

 

The party said that in the aftermath of the crisis, the soldiers attached to the State House in Rivers have been withdrawn while there are real fears that the police security will also be withdrawn by a Commissioner of Police who, apparently, no longer takes orders from his boss.

”This is not the democracy that was watered with the blood of many Nigerians. This not what Nigerians bargained for after years of military rule. We should not and must not allow those who are now reaping where they did not sow to reverse the little progress that we have made,” ACN warned.

Bond Fee: Between Nigeria and UK

THE controversial , purported plan by the British Government to impose the payment of bond on Nigeria visa applicants is a wrong step that will not do the peoples as well as the two countries any good.

In fact, if care is not taken, it is capable of causing severe, damaging and diplomatic row between the states.

According to reports, as from November, nationals of Nigeria,India, Ghana, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will have to post a bond of £3,000 as a surety that will ensure that they return back to the country whenever they travel to the United Kingdom “as a way of tackling abuse in the immigration system”.

The spokesman of the British High Commission in Nigeria said details of the policy were still being worked out and that if the plans were to go ahead in Nigeria, it  would affect only a very small number of the “highest  risk visitors”.

The Sunday Times of London had reported that visitors aged 18 and above issued a six-month visa would lose the £3,000 if they overstayed in Britain after the expiration of their visas. Initially, the scheme was to target hundreds of visitors, but the plan is now to extend it to several thousands, based on the broadsheet’s front-page report.

In other words, the intention of the British Government is to discourage immigrants from these countries from over-staying whenever they visited the country since the bond money will be at stake for forfeiture.

As expected, a cross section of Nigerians has condemned the new policy in view of the negative effects it is capable of bringing on the already battered image of the country.

The Federal Government had summoned the British High Commissioner, Dr. Andrew Pocock, over the policy which it said was capable of harming the existing cordial relationship and strong historical bonds between the peoples of the various countries as Commonwealth citizens.

No doubt, there could be justifications for the bond thing. Perhaps, the most likely targets are the many immigrants from developing countries who often end up not coming back to their countries due to the biting economic crunch at home.

Another factor could be the growing global terrorism and insecurity that has not even spared the developed nations. Hence, some of them have had to introduce some panicky and discriminatory measures to check the influx of immigrants, most especially from the developing countries.

Beyond this result that the British government intends to achieve, the demerits of the plans appear to be more than its usefulness.

To begin with, it negates the joint commitment by Prime Minister David Cameron and President Goodluck Jonathan to double the volume of bilateral trade between the two countries by 2014 to encourage more travellers to come to the UK.

Secondly, it is coming on the heels of the resolution of the Commonwealth Foreign Ministers who unanimously recommended for adoption that by November – at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting – a proposal will remove visa requirements for holders of official and diplomatic passports from member states.

Thirdly, it portends retrogression in trade relations between the two nations as genuine business entrepreneurs are likely to be hampered, especially if the Nigerian Government decides to reciprocate the harsh measure on travellers into the country from Britain.

It is also widely speculated that there could be an economic tone to the new rule as not a few people believe that UK may be so broke that it does not mind generating cash to boost its economy from visitors who are ready to pay.

Also, the policy has been described as “political” – a calculated plan just to make the Conservative Party score a point that it is seriously committed to immigration matters – to win more voters into its fold ahead of the next general elections.

Over the years, many Nigerians were of the opinion that the UK visa services is nothing but a sheer rip-off. This impression is, perhaps, borne out of the exorbitant, non-refundable visa fees charged applicants, who in most cases, are denied visa by fiat irrespective of whether they are genuine travelers or not.

Despite the enormous foreign exchange deficit against the country to the advantage of Britain, the visa policy will affect thousands of Nigerian students in UK institutions of higher learning who yearn for stable, solid and sound education that is amiss in their dear country.

Yearly, the British authorities say about 2.2 million people are granted visas and in 2012 alone, 296,000 people from India were granted six-month visas, 101,000 were from Nigeria; 53,000 from Pakistan out of the latest blacklisted countries, while over 180,000 Nigerians apply out of which about 70 per cent or around 125,000 were successful.

A critical assessment shows that UK’s visa policy has actually been discriminatory against Nigerians. It would be recalled that this racial discrimination started in September 1986 when the administration of the ‘Iron Lady’, Margaret Thatcher suddenly decided that travellers from Nigeria, India, Ghana, Bangladesh and Pakistan will require entry visas from their own countries before travelling, a decision the British opposition Labour Party had tagged as ‘racist’.

Before that decision was taken, citizens of all Commonwealth nations, except Sri Lanka, did not need visas to travel prior to1987 when the policy became effective and in 2008, the British Government introduced what could be best described as £1,000 “fine” on travellers.

The latest embarrassment meted out to Nigeria is nothing but shameful which the government should be ready to reverse using all diplomatic apparati at its disposal.

Already, another more severe scheme is said to be in the offing that is targeted at countries regarded as ‘low risk’, which may sting further to cover work permits and student visas.

In the first place, why do we rush to the UK? Hordes of travellers are either going for official reasons, greener pasture, education,tourism, medical reasons, among others.

Mr.  ADEWALE KUPOLUYI wrote from the Federal Varsity of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

JTF impounds 28 vessels, badges involved in Rivers’ oil theft

Bonny (Rivers) -  The Joint Task Force (JTF) in the Niger Delta on Sunday said that it had impounded 17 metal badges, 10 vessels and a tug boat laden with crude oil in Rivers.

The JTF Commander, Maj.-Gen. Bata Debiro, said this after an assessment tour of JTF’s operational bases in Bonny, Rivers.

Debiro said that the arrests were made only in its “Sub-sector Five” areas, which covered Andoni, Bonny and Gokana local government areas in Rivers, between April 2012 and July 2013.

He claimed that some of the vessels and badges were laden with stolen crude oil and Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) when they were apprehended.

Debiro said that eight out of the 17 seized metal badges had been destroyed, while others were still undergoing investigations.

The JTF commander, however, did not disclose the number of arrests made during the time under review.

He said that his visit was aimed at carrying out a surveillance of the JTF’s operational areas and ascertaining the readiness of the JTF troops to fight against oil theft and related crimes.

Debiro, however, said that the JTF operations in the region would improve appreciably if the task force was provided with modern equipment which could be used to track pipelines and illegal bunkering activities.

“Multinational oil companies can assist us with provision of modern technologies and equipment to complement the efforts of our troops who were deployed to protect oil pipelines installations.

“The equipment will enhance our operations because it will alert us about pipelines that are being vandalised in real time and, therefore, guarantee the quick response of our troops to the scene.

“The provision of the equipment will further improve our policing of pipelines and could ultimately lead to the end of pipeline vandalism in the country,” he said.

Debiro, however, rejected allegations that some JTF personnel were involved in illegal oil bunkering activities in the Niger Delta.

He said that the JTF’s personnel were constantly monitored, adding that they were also aware of the zero-tolerance policy of the Army toward corrupt practices.

He stressed that any member of the task force, who was involved in corrupt practices, would be severely dealt with, in accordance with the Army’s code of conduct.

Debiro, nonetheless, said that the JTF had recorded several successes in its operations, pledging that it would not relent in efforts to apprehend and prosecute individuals and groups that were involved in oil theft and related crimes.

Debiro called on community leaders and the public to provide the JTF with timely information which could lead to the arrest of oil thieves and pipeline vandals.

He solicited continued media collaboration with the JTF, saying that this would aid the fulfilment of the campaign against oil theft and allied criminal activities in the Niger Delta region. (NAN)

BBA update: Nigerian rep Beverly Osu makes out with Angelo

Nigerian rep Beverly Osu and fellow BBA housemate, South African dance teacher Angelo 

Collins, 

made out passionately Saturday night after the two danced intimately at the week’s party.

Beverly (r) and Angelo locked in a kiss

Angelo has already said he’ll never be faithful to one woman.  The two disappeared into their room and Angelo even got on top of Beverly before the video vixen stopped it from going further…

Keen followers of the show say Beverly was taken advantage of as it had been a wild party and she may have been drunk. The whips didn’t come down too hard on her as she had stopped the passion before it went too far.

Housemates Betty Abera from Ethiopia and Bolt from Sierra Leone both now evicted from BBA were not so lucky as they suffered harsh criticisms from BBA’s audience after their public sex rump in the house. But then Betty’s problems are far from over.

According to online sources, Betty could be facing six years in jail if a lawsuit being filed against her for having public sex in the house is successful.

During her short stint in BBA The Chase, Betty from Ethiopia and Bolt from Sierra Leone were the first couple to engage in sex in this season’s big brother show. There was massive backlash from the audience and more so the conservative Ethiopians who now saw her as a disgrace to the country.

Cleric asks Jonathan to okay anti-gay bill

Asaba—The Bishop of St. Peter’s Anglican Catheral Asaba, Delta State, Rev Justin Mogekwu, 

has called on President Goodluck Jonathan to sign into law, the anti-gay bill passed by the

 National Assembly.

The cleric made the call, weekend in his sermon at the Cathedral, during a funeral service for mother of Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, NIALS, Prof Epiphany Azinge, SAN, the late Mrs Angelina Azinge.

Mogekwu condemned same sex marriage, describing same as evil and a curse from hell.

He said: “Same sex marriage is a curse from hell; it is not a human right. Imagine what would have happened when  your  father wanted to marry your mother and said to his own father, dad, I have seen the person I want to marry and he said, ‘fine, bring the person home and let me see her.’ And then he goes to bring one Isaiah,  saying,‘ dad this is my wife to be.”

The cleric described gay marriage as evil and wickedness, which must be resisted with the last drop of our blood.

He berated the US President Barrack Obama, for advocating same sex marriage, describing it as a next step to heinous sex perversion.

He warned that if not checked, the next thing will be for somebody to say: “I want to marry my dog.”

He noted that President Jonathan must not delay in signing “this wonderful bill” as passed by the National Assembly into law.

The Senate passed the Anti-Gay bill, recommending 14 years imprisonment for anybody found engaging in gay activities.

He commended the Senator representing the zone, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for doing a great job in the Senate.

The service was attended by prominent political leaders, judicial officers and dignitaries  from all parts of the country, including Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Senator Chris Ngige, Dr. Joe Nwodo, Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, General Secretary, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr Emeka Obegolu and omong others.